Daijiworld Media Network – Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Jan 8: At least two people were killed and six others sustained injuries in a shooting incident outside a church in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night while a memorial service was underway inside, police said.
The incident occurred in the rear parking area of a building belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon Church. Authorities confirmed that all the victims were adults, with at least three of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
Police said no suspect had been taken into custody as of late Wednesday night. However, investigators clarified that the shooting was neither random nor motivated by religious animosity.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted attack against a religion,” Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd stated, adding that preliminary findings suggest the shooter did not act out of hatred toward a particular faith.
The red-brick church, located in a northwest Salt Lake City neighbourhood, primarily serves Tongan congregants and regularly conducts services in their native language. At the time of the incident, mourners had gathered for a funeral service inside the church.
Residents from a nearby low-income housing complex rushed to the scene after hearing gunfire and assisted victims while consoling grieving attendees. Eyewitness Brennan McIntire said he heard multiple gunshots while at home and ran outside to find a person lying on the ground as others attempted to help.
“It was chaotic. People were crying and trying to make sense of what had just happened,” he said. His wife, Kenna McIntire, described the scene as deeply distressing, recalling the sight of first responders carrying an unconscious woman into an ambulance amid sobbing mourners.
Police deployed a heavy presence at the scene, with nearly 100 law enforcement vehicles and helicopters conducting aerial surveillance. Officers are reviewing footage from license plate readers and nearby security cameras to identify the suspect.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall condemned the incident, stating, “This should never have happened outside a place of worship or during a celebration of life.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it is fully cooperating with authorities and expressed sorrow over the violence. “We extend prayers to all those affected and are deeply concerned that a sacred space meant for worship was touched by such tragedy,” church spokesperson Sam Penrod said.
Utah is home to approximately 3.5 million people, with nearly half identifying as members of the Latter-day Saints faith. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns following a deadly attack on a church in Michigan last month, which was later linked to anti-religious motives.